Proceed AVP2 by Mark Levinson/Madrigal, Excellent Condition

This is a Madrigal/Mark Levinson/Proceed AVP2, Serial No. 1054 (a later generation original AVP2, not an earlier AVP with a $2,500 conversion). It is in clean, excellent, fully operational condition with only one very minor flaw on the right side, (not visible except upon very close examination with the unit out and off the shelf). I am the second owner; both owners cared for this equipment in a smoke-free environment. Includes remote, power cord, original boxes, and a printed reference manual in a loose-leaf binder. (A link to the pdf user manual is attached) Categorically no upper-mid level pre/pro that I’ve heard under $15K sounds any more neutral or transparent than this one does, and many other bloggers agree in the link below. In short, it has a superb analogue section and superior DACs and processor chips, and using balanced inputs and outputs to reach its full potential, it’s performance is on par with the best.

 

With a huge R&D investment, the Madrigal/Mark Levinson/Proceed AVP2 represented the fifth generation of their AVP product cycle and still attains outstanding performance at a very affordable level. Levinson Proceed AVP2 multichannel audio-video surround processor shares plenty of technology found in their spare no cost flagship AV model, the Mark Levinson #40 Media Console, $30,000 MSRP. The AVP2 was an outstanding bargain at a mere $6,495 MSRP.

 

Features shared by both high-end models include the digital interface receiver (DIR), the proprietary "Intelligent FIFO" digital input buffer, and differential DACs for left and right front channels. According to Mark Levinson, the #40 and the AVP2 have "identical processing hardware and software” and both use “four ‘SHARC’ 32-bit fixed/floating point processors for the main zone”. Capable of decoding up to eight channels, the AVP2 handles DTS, DTS-ES, Dolby Digital, THX Surround EX, MPEG-2, HDCD, and PCM-originated digital audio signals up to 24bit @ 96kHz, including Dolby Pro Logic II. Of special note, The proprietary Stereo Surround mode can be used to enhance two-channel recordings, a prized feature for improving old school sources including vintage vinyl.

 

I will ship this anywhere in the USA. Buyer is to pay for shipping and insurance from my location in Walnut Creek, CA 94597-3947.  Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

 

AVP2 PPROCESSING MODE SUMMARY:

 

THX Ultra- THX Ultra processing is used for movies that were originally created for theatrical release; THX may be added to any multichannel mode associated with movies (Dolby Digital/AC-3, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, DTS, MPEG).

 

Pro Logic- With AC-3, DTS, or MPEG, the AVP2 will automatically provide the appropriate type of decoding required. (When listening to a conventional (PCM) digital signal, as from a laserdisc player, without an identifying “flag” to indicate whether it is simply stereo, or Dolby Surround encoded, manual selection of Pro Logic may be needed).

 

Pro Logic + THX- Adds THX Ultra II post processing to basic Pro Logic decoding

 

Pro Logic II Movie- Uses the more advanced Dolby Pro Logic II algorithm for decoding Dolby-encoded movie soundtracks. (Note that “DPL II” often yields sound that is surprisingly close to a discrete multichannel signal such as Dolby Digital 5.1 from older movies that lack the discrete multichannel soundtrack. The soundtrack should be encoded as a “2.0 Dolby Surround” signal for best results.)

 

Pro Logic II + THX- Adds THX Ultra II post-processing to Dolby

Pro Logic II Movie decoding.

 

Pro Logic II Music- An alternate configuration of the

Pro Logic II algorithm optimized for use with ordinary stereo music recordings that are not specially encoded to the 2.0 Dolby Surround standard. This configuration often provides stunning multichannel sound from ordinary stereo recordings.

 

Stereo surround- Use for two-channel stereo recordings using all loudspeakers; this is an ambience extraction mode that uses the natural ambience in the recording itself, rather than synthesizing something artificial. The stereo surround mode is more subtle than Dolby Pro Logic II; Use it if the PDL II Music mode seems a bit heavy-handed.

 

Mono surround- Use for monophonic recordings which would benefit from some degree of additional ambience or spaciousness, such as many classic movies and some sporting events.

 

Mono on center- Use to “true” mono, reproduced only through the center channel speaker (and subwoofer, if you have one). Noisy mono soundtracks often enjoy significant noise reduction by being reproduced in this mode.

 

Mono on Front- Similar to mono on center

 

AVP2 RATED SPECIFICATIONS: (Per Owner’s Manual)

 

Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0dB, –0.2dB

Total harmonic distortion: 0.005% @ 1 kHz, A-weighted

Maximum output (XLR): 10 V RMS

Maximum output (RCA): 5 V RMS

Dynamic range: 100 dB (or better)

Signal to noise ratio (balanced outputs): 105 dB (ref: 0 dB output)

Channel separation: better than 100 dB

Analog filter: Bessel-tuned, linear phase to 40 kHz

Low-level linearity: deviation less than 1 dB to -90 dB FS

(1 kHz, 20 bit data, 80 kHz measurement bandwidth)

Volume range: 0.0 (off) to 91.0 dB

Volume resolution: 0.5 dB steps above 31.0 in display

1.0 dB steps between11.0–31.0 in display

2 dB steps below 11.0 in display

Digital inputs: 4 S/PDIF electrical on RCA

1 S/PDIF electrical on BNC

1 AES/EBU electrical

1 EIAJ optical

Analog inputs: 1 balanced stereo pair on XLR

7 single-ended pairs on RCA

RF Demodulator input: Digital Input 3 (w/opt. RF demodulator card)

Digital input impedance: 75 Ohms (S/PDIF electrical)

110 Ohms (AES/EBU electrical)

Digital output: 1 RCA (S/PDIF electrical)

Digital output impedance: 75 Ohms (S/PDIF electrical)

Main analog outputs: 3 balanced outputs (main left, center, right)

8 single-ended outputs (5.1 plus 2 auxiliary channels)

Analog output impedance: 10 Ohms

Available trigger current: 80 mA per outlet

Power consumption: less than 50 W

Shipping weight: 34 lbs. (15.5 kg)

 

RELEVANT LINKS:

http://www.proceedaudio.com/manuals/AVP2OM.pdf

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/254015-proceed-avp2-prepro-levinson

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/madrigal-proceed-avp2